WITH POLL: Six things to know about 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi'

Friday

Dec 15, 2017 at 1:00 PMDec 15, 2017 at 1:29 PM

What's your favorite Star Wars film? Vote in our poll below.

Alice Coyle acoyle@wickedlocal.com @accoyleWL

The much-anticipated eighth episode of George Lucas’ galactically popular sci-fi saga opens Friday, and while the movie’s plotlines and twists have been kept pretty hush-hush heading into the Dec. 15 premier, here are six things to know before lining up to see “The Last Jedi.” Take our poll at the end to let us know your favorite Star Wars film.

Bringing order to the galaxy: Written and directed by Rian Johnson, “Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi” is the sequel to the 2015 film “The Force Awakens” (directed by J.J. Abrams of Star Trek movie fame) also known as Episode VII in the series. “The Last Jedi” is the second episode of the third trilogy for the Star Wars saga, which began 40 years ago with the release of George Lucas’ first Star Wars film — later known as “Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope.” If you’re confused by any of this you are clearly not a Star Wars superfan. Abrams will be back at the helm for the third film in the series - Episode IX, which is expected to open in theaters Dec. 20, 2019, so mark your calendars.

Favorite characters we’re missing: You won’t see space-smuggler-turned-rebel-alliance hero, Han Solo (Harrison Ford) in the film because he was killed in “Episode VII - The Force Awakens,” by his son, Ben Solo, who has been known as Kylo Ren since he turned to the dark side and took up with Supreme Leader Snoke of the First Order. But you will see General Leia Organa (Kylo Ren’s mom), long-time leader of the Resistance, even though actress Carrie Fisher passed away suddenly last December at the age of 60. At the time of her death, Fisher had already wrapped up filming for “The Last Jedi,” which will reportedly be dedicated to the beloved film star.

Star Wars the next generation: You’ll also see Fisher’s daughter, Billie Lourd, who reprises her role from “Episode VII -The Force Awakens” as Lieutenant Connix, a junior controller with the Resistance. Fun fact: prior to her work in Star Wars, Lourd played the role of a rich sorority girl in the Fox comedy horror series “Scream Queens.” The earmuffs Lourd’s character, Chanel #3 wore in the show were an homage to mom, Carrie Fisher’s iconic double-bun hairdo in the original Star Wars.

New faces in space: Writer/Director Rian Johnson introduces three new characters in “The Last Jedi.” Actress Laura Dern, sporting lavender-hued locks, plays the role of Resistance officer Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo. Television and short film actress, Kelly Marie Tran joins the cast as Rose Tico, a maintenance worker within the Resistance, and Academy-Award winning actor Benicio del Toro plays an unnamed underworld character in the film.

Royal cameos: Several significant Brits snagged cameos in “The Last Jedi,” including singer/songwriter and record producer, Gary Barlow and film director Gareth Edwards, who directed the 2016 film “Rogue One – A Star Wars Story.” Actor and producer Tom Hardy and royals Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry all have cameo roles in the film as stormtroopers.

Featured creatures: No Star Wars flick would be complete without the introduction of some crazy new creatures subtly, or not so subtly, adding to the movie’s storyline. New to the screen in “The Last Jedi” are porgs, puffin-like sea birds native to Ahch-To, the planet on which Rey finds Luke Skywalker in the final moments of “The Force Awakens.” Also on Ahch-To, live the all-female caretakers, who watch over the first Jedi Temple. On the planet Crait, which is home to an old Rebel Alliance base, we meet crystal foxes called vulptices, that live in burrows below the planet’s surface and have a crystalline coat. Luke, I’m your fathier? Long-eared, space horses with goat faces, fathiers live on the casino planet Canto Bight where they’re trained for high-stakes races.

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